In the U.S., sales revenue for tennis apparel increased by 15 percent in the 12 months ended June 2023 versus the prior year and are up 38 percent versus three years ago, according to Circana. Tennis shoe sales grew by 21 percent versus the prior year and increased 37 percent compared to three years ago.
“The growth of the tennis soft goods market is no doubt a result of a heightened appeal for both tennis and pickleball, but there are other powers at play,” said Kristen Classi-Zummo, apparel industry analyst at Circana. “A balance of sporty and chic, tennis apparel has carved a place in consumers’ post-pandemic wardrobe evolution as they swap their sweats for something more stylish without sacrificing comfort. The versatility of athletic dresses, skirts and other tennis-inspired apparel is having just as much an impact on sales as the sport itself.”
The market for athletic skirts and dresses grew 24 percent in the past 12 months compared to the prior year, and sales have more than doubled since 2019. Sales for tennis-inspired sneakers, which have the performance-based heritage of a tennis shoe but are intended for everyday wear, increased by 9 percent in the past 12 months compared to the previous year.
“While it’s clear that the increased participation in racquet sports is propelling the sales of the performance footwear worn for these sports, the related, and perhaps even more interesting, trend is the growth of tennis footwear as a fashion statement,” said Beth Goldstein, footwear industry analyst at Circana. “Through the rising popularity of tennis-inspired footwear, we can see the impact that the interest in tennis as an activity is having on fashion by reaching a much broader audience than those who are actually playing the sport.”
“Racquet sports are trending right now,” added Julia Day, executive director of business development at Circana. “From pickleball’s popularity to the recent excitement of Wimbledon and the upcoming U.S. Open, these are moments that create an enthusiasm that transcends the sports themselves.”
Pickleball Leads Racquet Sports Equipment Gains
The growth in racquet sports equipment sales is being led by more buyers, 20 percent more than one year ago, and buyers are spending more. Year-over-year sales for racquet sports equipment increased by 27 percent to $684 million in the past 12 months, led by the continued surge in pickleball sales. Capturing $50.8 million in retail sales just three years ago, pickleball paddle and ball sales are now a $304.2 million business. The sales results align with the latest participation findings reported by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), which showed pickleball maintaining its position as the fastest-growing sport in 2022. Furthermore, for the first time since 2015, all racquet sports categories increased their total participation numbers compared to 2021.
“I may not have a crystal ball, but I can confidently say that pickleball is here to stay,” said Day. “Pickleball is fun, easy to learn, highly social, and has a low barrier to entry. We are seeing market share shifts as pickleball racquets are gaining share at the expense of tennis racquets. To become the dominant player, retailers and manufacturers need to equip themselves with actual sales and shopper data to understand market dynamics and quantify opportunities.”
Photo courtesy Ralph Lauren
